| If you enjoy working with animals, there are | | | | you into a career in the research field. There are |
| many different careers you might consider. Here | | | | also people without degrees who practice |
| are a few examples. | | | | counseling or therapy with animals, especially cats |
| Veterinarian | | | | and dogs. These people typically have experience |
| This is usually the first career people think of | | | | in the fields of animal rescue or training. |
| when they think of working with animals. A | | | | Zookeeper |
| Veterinarian, DVM, or vet for short, is a physician | | | | A Zookeeper works directly with the animals in a |
| for animals. Some vets work with companion | | | | zoo. He or she is responsible for their care and |
| animals like cats and dogs, while others work with | | | | feeding, maintaining their habitats, and reporting |
| farm animals. It usually takes between 4 and 8 | | | | any noticed health problems. They monitor the |
| years of schooling after high school to obtain a | | | | animals' behavior and psychological health, and |
| veterinary degree. The type varies by country. | | | | participate in public education such as shows and |
| Some countries grant the equivalent of a | | | | talks involving the animals, and participate in |
| Bachelor's, while others require the more | | | | research. There is not one specific degree |
| extensive study of a doctorate degree. In the U. | | | | required to work as a zookeeper. In the United |
| S., a person with either degree can find a career | | | | States, zookeepers often have degrees in biology |
| veterinary medicine as long as they pass national | | | | or zoology. In some other countries, a license for |
| and state board exams. | | | | working with wild animals is required, and |
| Wildlife Rehabilitation | | | | zookeepers must undergo an apprenticeship and |
| Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of taking sick | | | | display their knowledge and training. |
| or injured animals from the wild and nursing them | | | | Park Ranger/ Forest Ranger |
| back to health. The goal is to release them back | | | | A park ranger works with animals in a broader |
| into their natural environments once they are | | | | sense, as he or she oversees the maintenance of |
| recovered. Although many wildlife rehabilitators | | | | forests and park lands. Since many animals call |
| work independently and on a volunteer basis, | | | | these places home, a ranger is responsible for |
| there are an increasing number of professional | | | | protecting the health and well-being of their |
| wildlife rehabilitation hospitals, which train | | | | habitat. Rangers do many different things, including |
| veterinary students specifically for careers in this | | | | law enforcement, overseeing the safety of park |
| field. | | | | visitors, and providing environmental education. |
| Pet Therapist/ Psychologist | | | | There are many different specializations, with |
| The professional study of animal psychology is | | | | varying license and education requirements. |
| referred to as comparative psychology, which is | | | | That is just a small list of the careers possible for |
| the broad term for the study of the cognitive | | | | animal lovers. There are many others you might |
| functioning of animals other than humans. A | | | | want to explore. |
| degree in this type of psychology is likely to lead | | | | |